Taste of Talent packets available
From staff reports Taste of Talent application packets are available for the Franklin Fine Arts Council’s 11th annual vocal competition at Bandstand Park in downtown…
US expels Russian diplomats, imposes new round of sanctions
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday announced the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats and sanctions against nearly three dozen people and companies as…
Polanco hits early HR off Musgrove, Pirates beat Padres 5-1
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Gregory Polanco homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Wednesday night, beating Joe Musgrove in his first…
The disabled hope their Oscar moment can become a movement
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Right down to its production design, the Oscars have not always felt like the most welcoming place for the disabled. “I’ve…
Recent Deaths 4/15/21
William “Billy” Erwin, 72, of Clarion, died April 12, 2021. Conrad “Coon” Hill, 63, of Cochranton, died April 12, 2021. Walter Eugene “Butch” Mauthe, of…
Pet of the Day 4/14/21
I was saying to myself just this morning, “Huey,” I said, “Huey, you know what you need? You need a person all your own.” So…
Banana Breakfast Shake
(Family Features) Making sure your family members get a nutritious start to the day is an important job, and by focusing on a few wholesome…
Information on Seed Packets
When considering starting your plants from seed, it is useful to know what information is found on the seed packet. When deciding what to plant…
Seed Starting Demystified
Colorful catalogs arrive in the dead of winter and tempt us to start our plants from seed. Here are some tips for choosing and starting…
OC apartment owners face suit alleging harassment
From staff reports The U.S. Department of Justice said Monday it has filed a lawsuit against a Cooperstown couple alleging sexual harassment and retaliation toward…
Historical Society seeks items for fundraiser
From staff reports The Venango County Historical Society will raise funds for its programs through its annual yard sale. The society will accept donated items…
IRS chief expects new child payments to start this summer
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s a strain, but the head of the IRS said Tuesday he expects to meet the July 1 deadline in the new…
Pirates chase Snell in 1st inning, beat Padres 8-4
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jacob Stallings had three hits and three RBIs, and the Pittsburgh Pirates chased Blake Snell in the first inning of an 8-4…
Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl team up for a pandemic anthem
NEW YORK (AP) — Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl have teamed up for a hard-rock pandemic anthem called “Eazy Sleazy.” “It’s a song that I…
Recent Deaths 4/14/21
William A. Hart, 74, of Franklin, died April 12, 2021. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The Derrick for this day or…
Pet of the Day 4/13/21
Eli is a happy, young boy with lots (and lots and lots) of energy! He is very sweet and smart. He was one of our…
Gluten-Free Barbecue Skillet Pizza
(Family Features) Time available to cook, your family’s preferred dishes, ingredients you have in the pantry – there are plenty of considerations that may limit…
Joining Forces Initiative Relaunch
Last week, First Lady Jill Biden announced the priorities of the recently relaunched Joining Forces initiative. The focus will be on military spouse unemployment and…
Man accused of holding woman at gunpoint
From staff reports A transient man is facing charges for holding a woman at gunpoint in Oil City and forcing her to give him a…
Southbound lanes closed on Route 8
From staff reports The southbound lanes of Route 8 are closed in Venango County from the intersection with Polk Cutoff in Sandycreek Township to the…
Protest after chief says officer meant to use Taser, not gun
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — Police clashed with protesters for a second night in the Minneapolis suburb where an officer who authorities say apparently intended…
Darvish dominates, Myers powers Padres past Pirates 6-2
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The San Diego Padres have the best bullpen in the majors at the moment. The most overworked one, too. Yu Darvish did…
Prince Philip vs Philip of ‘The Crown’: Fact and fiction
LOS ANGELES (AP) — In “The Crown,” a dishy naval officer captures the heart of a future queen. But he chafes at playing royal second…
Recent Deaths 4/13/21
Ruth M. McElroy, 90, of Chicora, formerly of Emlenton, died April 10, 2021. David Richard Marchand, 87, of Shippenville, died April 10, 2021. Madalene J….
Man dies in house fire in Clarion County
ELK TOWNSHIP – A man died in a house fire Sunday morning in Elk Township, according to Shippenville-Elk fire Chief Steve Merryman. The 382 Buckhorn…
2-week deer season approved, rifles banned from turkey hunts
HARRIBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Game Commission has approved concurrent hunting for antlered and antlerless deer through the duration of the 2021-22 firearms deer…
Kings trade Jeff Carter to Penguins for pair of draft picks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Kings traded forward Jeff Carter to the Pittsburgh Penguins late Sunday night for a pair of conditional draft…
Pennsylvania: All adults eligible for vaccine on Tuesday
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania will expand eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to all adults beginning Tuesday, nearly a week ahead of schedule, state officials…
Music garden outside library expected to harvest interest
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer It’s spring, and the Oil City Library has just put in a new garden. However, it doesn’t contain vegetables or…
Alliance to dedicate Oil Creek Landing at ceremony
From staff reports The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism is holding a ceremony to dedicate the Oil Creek Memorial Landing, the trailhead…
Biden budget seeks more for schools, health care and housing
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden released a $1.5 trillion wish list for his first federal budget, asking for substantial gains for Democratic priorities including…
Lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors’ emergency power
The Associated Press As governors loosen long-lasting coronavirus restrictions, state lawmakers across the U.S. are taking actions to significantly limit the power they could wield…
Keller shines, Pirates end 6-game skid, tag Davies, Cubs 8-2
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mitch Keller’s stuff has never been in question. It’s a lack of command that sometimes handcuff the pitcher the Pittsburgh Pirates view…
Franklin pursuit
Regional vaccination clinic opens
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer On Friday, the UPMC Northwest vaccination clinic at the Cranberry Mall opened as the regional clinic to serve people from…
Oil City 150 schedule set, rain or shine
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The Oil City 150 celebration will be held in Justus Park, rain or shine, at 1 p.m. Sunday. The theme…
Street sweeping schedule set
From staff reports City workers in Franklin and Oil City will sweep streets in the following areas next week: Franklin – Monday – Third shift,…
Explosive eruption rocks volcano on Caribbean’s St. Vincent
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — An explosive eruption rocked La Soufriere volcano on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent on Friday after the…
Rust scores 2, Crosby gets goal, 2 assists, Pens beat Devils
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Bryan Rust scored two goals and Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists in leading the streaking Pittsburgh Penguins to…
How an Irish town became home for an animation powerhouse
NEW YORK (AP) — The medieval town of Kilkenny in the southeast of Ireland is an unlikely home for a perennial Oscar contender. But there,…
Recent Deaths 4/10/21
Gloria A. Eisenman, 77, of Strobleton, died April 8, 2021. Edwin “Ed” S. Geer, 72, died April 6, 2021. Rodger L. Shrecengost, 51, of New…
Pet of the Day 4/9/21
Buck is a super sweet fellow who was brought to us because his owner was moving and couldn’t take him. The previous owner says Buck…
Apple Cider Vinegar Beef and Broccoli
(Family Features) Committing to a daily wellness routine may include many components from eating healthy and exercising to meditating and achieving quality sleep. For some,…
PFA violation
Pittsburgh’s Effort an Example of Our Region’s Promise
With a rust-belt legacy linked directly with ours, Pittsburgh’s recent redevelopment efforts provide theoretical guidelines that show promise for our own region, while highlighting the…
Groups sought to participate in Franklin’s Memorial Day parade
From staff reports Plans are in the works for a Memorial Day parade in Franklin and organizers are looking for groups to participate. While last…
Pennsylvania promises quicker, easier jobless claims system
HARRISBURG (AP) — After a year of frustration over long waits for checks, jammed phone lines and confusing online filing procedures, Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor…
Letang, Rodrigues lead Penguins to 5-2 win over Rangers
NEW YORK (AP) — Kris Letang and Evan Rodrigues scored in the second period, and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Rangers 5-2 Thursday…
Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dies at 99
LONDON (AP) — Prince Philip, the irascible and tough-minded husband of Queen Elizabeth II who spent more than seven decades supporting his wife in a…
Review: ‘Thunder Force’ is forced and lacking any thunder
The Associated Press Melissa McCarthy and her husband, filmmaker Ben Falcone, have managed to put out not one but two movies during this global pandemic….